From Conflict Zones to Market Spaces: Structural Violence and the Politics of Kayayei in Ghana.

Abstract:

This paper analysis the lived experiences of kayayei, female head porters who migrate from Ghana’s northern regions to urban commercial centers in search of livelihood opportunities. It challenges dominant narratives that frame their migration solely as a response to poverty. It argues that instead that kayayei are internal conflict migrants shaped by structural violence, marginalisation, and unresolved regional inequalities. Drawing on Agbogbloshie and Rawlings Park as reference points, the study situates the plight of kayayei within the bigger dynamics of political neglect. It critiques the politicization of head porterage by successive governments, revealing how symbolic interventions have failed to produce meaningful change. The paper concludes by proposing a conflict-sensitive and rights-based policy framework that prioritizes inclusive urban planning, labor protections, and investments in northern development as pathways toward social justice and national cohesion. By paying attention to the voices and vulnerabilities of kayayei, the study calls for a reimagining of Ghana’s development and peacebuilding agendas.